I monetized my channel on November 4th, 2024, and in this video I break down exactly how much YouTube paid me in my first 30 days with just over 2,000 subscribers. I walk through what the YouTube Partner Program actually is, how AdSense works, and the real requirements you need to hit (1,000 subs and 4,000 watch hours in the last 365 days). I also talk about the newer lower tier (500 subs / 3,000 hours) and why it doesn’t include ad revenue. I also share what the grind looked like for me: I hit 1,000 subscribers around March 2024 (about 16 months in), but it took another 8 months to get the watch hours. I posted a lot—69 videos and 71 shorts before monetization—and I give a realistic breakdown of the time it takes me to make a typical 8-minute video (roughly 12–14 hours when you include planning, filming, editing, and upload). Finally, I talk gear and money with some context. My niche is photography/filmmaking, so my costs are a bit skewed, but I’m honest about what I’d spend if I started from scratch today (around $2–3K). And I touch on affiliate links and free products too—because for me, staying consistent with my values matters more than pushing something just to make a quick buck.